It is often said that “Dogs are man's best friend.” For Jill this isn't just a saying but definitely a large steppingstone and turning point of her life was the day she was given her dog. As an awkward child who spent more time bonding with her stuffed animals than she did with other children she found having the companionship of a dog to be one of the greatest gifts her mom ever gave her. And in that very first moment when she held the dog for the first time and asked what it wanted its name to be she swears she heard the dog say, “Nice.” And a forever unbreakable friendship was foraged, a bond like no other was born. Jill and Nice become the best of friends going on adventures together when she is younger. Nice taught Jill how to be an independent little girl and make friends at the same time. But it is when she starts to get a little bit older that we see Nice assist her through her first day of kindergarten, middle school, and into the fears of high school. As she progressed in school Jill always worried that she wouldn’t be able to succeed at the next level. A coming-of-age story that allows us to see that sometimes the most important bonds that we have are in the animals that we consider to be family. Through the laughs, the tears and the life lessons Jill in the end must figure out how to live her life as an individual in the memory of her best friend… Nice.
Nice Life
(Scene opens with Jill, a little girl with a large imagination and a lot of energy. She plays with her doll as if the doll is her best friend and in Jill’s mind, she is.)
Jill: Come on Dollie it’s time, it’s time.
Dollie: Time for what?
Jill: Time for…. Ummmm….. for….
Dollie/ Jill: An adventure!!!! (They dance around with each other which transitions them to the beginning of a rollercoaster. Jill raises her hands, Dollie is terrified.)
Jill: You gotta put our hands up or it’s no fun.
Dollie: I can’t, I’m scared.
Jill: Scared? You’re the strongest, bravest, bestest little Dollie in the land.
Dollie: I am?
Jill: You are.
Doll: I am.
Jill: You are! (Dollie reluctantly raises her hands as they hit the top and the coaster is about to drop. They take hands and as they turn the last corner and are about to scream…)
Mom: (Off) Jill… Jill I have something for you. (Jill freezes then transitions back home. She looks for Dollie but she can’t find her.)
Jill: Dollie. Dollie, where are you? (She looks around for a moment longer.)
Mom: (Off) Jill honey, come into the living room please.
Jill: (Yelling) Mom I can’t find Dollie!
Mom: (Off) I’m sure she’s fine, come into the living room right now.
Jill: Fine. Fine! (Jill enters into the living room.)
Mom: (Turning around, she’s holding a dog.) I found this little gal and thought she might like it here. (Jill is beside herself.) What do you think, should we keep her?
Jill: (Running over and grabbing the dog.) Yes, Mommy, yes, yes, yes! (She swings the dog around. To the dog.) What should I name you?
Dog: (Whispers) Nice. (Jill looks at the dog amazed for a moment then smiles)
Jill: Did you say Nice… I like that.